You are here

Trump govt drafts plan to raise asylum bar: report

The new guidelines, contained in a draft memo dated Feb 17, directs agents to only pass applicants who have a good chance of ultimately getting asylum

Mon, Feb 20, 2017 - 5:50 AM

Immigrants from Central America and Mexico at the border crossing of El Chaparral in Tijuana, Mexico. The new guidance instructs asylum officers to "elicit all relevant information" in determining whether an applicant has "credible fear" of persecution if returned home.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Washington

THE Department of Homeland Security has prepared new guidance for immigration agents aimed at speeding up deportations by denying asylum claims earlier in the process.

The new guidelines, contained in a draft memo dated Feb 17 but not yet sent to field offices, directs